You are here

Secretaries office background

Under the amendments to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973(the Act) made by the Remuneration and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2011, responsibility for the remuneration arrangements for most Secretaries is shared between the Tribunal and the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The Tribunal determines the general classification structure for the office of Secretary and the classification of each individual office; these aspects of the remuneration arrangements are set out in Tables 2.1 and 2.2 of the Determination 2017/06. The Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is responsible for the assignment of each Secretary to a specific pay point in the classification structure determined by the Tribunal. The remuneration of the offices of Secretary of the Department of the Treasury and of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, is determined directly by the Tribunal itself.

Conditions

Official Travel

The general provisions for domestic and overseas travel by office holders are set out in the Official Travel by Office Holders Determination. Secretaries are entitled to Travel Tier 1 travel provisions.

Travel within Australia - Schedule A of the Official Travel by Office Holders Determination sets out the travelling allowance rates payable for the various Australian cities and towns. There is no payment where the travel does not involve an overnight absence.

Overseas Travel - The Official Travel by Office Holders Determination also provides for overseas meals and incidentals rates to be paid in accordance with the rates published annually by the Australian Taxation Office in its taxation ruling dealing with reasonable travelling allowance amounts. The Taxation Determinations can be found on the ATO website for the relevant year.

Motor Vehicle Travel - Motor vehicle allowances are also contained in the Official Travel by Office Holders Determination.

Geographic Relocations

Where a new appointee relocates from his or her home locality to take up a Secretary appointment, he or she is entitled to payment of relocation costs at Commonwealth expense. Secretary relocation provisions are set out in the Secretaries Determination.

Leave

Provisions relating to annual leave, personal leave, miscellaneous leave and leave for training and development purposes are set out in the Secretaries Determination.

Early Loss of Office

The Tribunal has determined a level of financial compensation for a holder of a public office where there is early loss of office (some exclusions apply). Secretaries may also be entitled to compensation where they are not given 3 months' notice of a decision not to reappoint them as a Secretary at the expiration of their current term.

Secretary loss of office provisions are set out in the Secretaries Determination.